Human rebellion against God can be described using three key words.
- Sin which fundamentally means ‘to miss the mark.’ Think of it as shooting an arrow at a target and falling short; that illustrates the concept of sin.
- Iniquity refers to an internal distortion or ‘twistedness.’ This signifies a corrupted mindset that influences our actions.
- Transgression occurs when we disregard God’s clear boundaries, essentially ignoring a ‘no trespassing’ sign and acting as if it doesn’t apply to us.
Thankfully, as today’s lectionary reading emphasizes, God offers forgiveness for our sins, iniquities, and transgressions.”
Lectionary Readings: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032225.cfm.
Reading 1 – Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
The phrase ‘steadfast love,’ found in verses 18 and 20, is most like the New Testament concept of grace than any other Old Testament term..
Originally, it signified covenant-keeping ability. However, when humanity proved unable to uphold their part of the agreement, God continued to bless them. This is how we understand His grace.
Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of his possession? He does not retain his anger forever because he delights in showing steadfast love.
He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.
You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old. (Micah 7:18-20)
We can rely on God’s forgiveness, as steadfast love, or grace, is an integral aspect of His character.
Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
The psalmist praises God wholeheartedly because He forgives our iniquities and heals our diseases. God transforms our brokenness, replacing it with a crown of steadfast love and mercy.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his benefits
who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the Pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy. (**Psalm 103:1-4)
Verse Before the Gospel – Luke 15:18
I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you” (Luke 15:18).
Gospel – Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Glenn Clark, a prominent Christian leader of the last century, taught that God overcomes His enemies by transforming them into friends. Jesus demonstrated this principle by sharing meals with sinners and tax collectors.
The religious authorities criticized Him for this, but Jesus responded by telling three parables, culminating in the parable of the prodigal son.
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:1-2).
The stories of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son illustrate how God responds to our iniquities, sins, and transgressions.
Let’s join together in praising God for His grace that forgives our sins and transforms our lives.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed Jacob’s planned departure from Laban in Genesis 31.
Real Voices 